Mike Hasten column: Could Edwin Edwards be elected to Congress?

Former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards speaking to the Press Club of Baton Rouge on his plans for the future at noon Monday.

There's been lots of talk around Baton Rouge and other parts of the state about former Gov. Edwin Edwards hinting that he would run for Congress.

A little after noon Monday, we will know. He's speaking to the Press Club of Baton Rouge on his plans for the future.

As a convicted felon who served his sentence in federal prisons, the former governor cannot run for state or local government office. But there's no such prohibition against running for federal government office.

The 6th Congressional District seat, anchored in Baton Rouge but running down to Houma, is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is challenging Sen. Mary Landrieu in her bid to be re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

Rumor fires, fanned by Edwards' daughter Anna and his wife Trina talking about the possibility that Edwards would run for Congress, flared a few months ago but had died down somewhat until Edwards agreed to speak to the press club about his future. He's used that venue several times to announce his election plans.

But is he going to run in the 6th District race, which already has drawn a sizeable number of potential candidates, though none really strong?

Two major things go against his chances of winning that race.

The 6th District is highly Republican, and Baton Rouge never turned out to vote for Edwards.

He never carried the city in the four times he was elected governor.

Many say he will run but few will predict an outcome.

But there are two other options that few have considered.

Edwards could decide to run in the Senate race against Landrieu and Cassidy.

That would give him a statewide audience to draw from and one that welcomed him warmly when he got out of federal prison.

Secondly, with U.S. Sen. David Vitter already committed to run for governor next year, his current seat would be vacated, should he win.

That would give Edwards another opportunity in 2015 and if Vitter loses the gubernatorial election, a challenge to the incumbent in 2016.

What would make this unlikely, though, is if Vitter wins Gov. Bobby Jindal would name a temporary senator until the term runs out or an election would be held.

Edwards would be 88 then.

Regardless, the question still exists. Could EWE be elected to Congress?

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Mike Hasten column: Could Edwin Edwards be elected to Congress?

There's been lots of talk around Baton Rouge and other parts of the state about former Gov. Edwin Edwards hinting that he would run for Congress.